Erratic power supply

SHILLONG, OCT 30: Villages in East Jaintia Hills District have threatened to file a petition before the Consumer Court against the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) over erratic power supply.

In a complaint submitted to the district’s deputy commissioner on Monday, Kynjaimon Amse said, “Urgent and immediate action on this matter is highly anticipated , the people have suffered a lot, do not make us suffer more, otherwise we will be compelled to approach the Consumer Court to address our grievances.”

He said failure and negligent to provide proper service to the people in spite of collecting bill for the same is a violation of the right of the consumer under the Consumer Protection Act 1986 and can attract litigation for the matter.

The villages affected by irregular power supply include Umstain, Tongseng, Sonapyrdi, Lum Myrli, Chymplong, Kuliang, Pyrtakuna, Umkiang, Lymphyllut, Lum Soski, Dona umbluh, dona skul, Ratecherra , Dona Bhoi under Narpuh Elaka Dalloiship.

According to him, most of these villages have been electrified in the past few years.

“However, though supply of electricity is very irregular and very poor, and even if there is no supply of electricity for days, weeks or month in the villages, the electricity bill always comes on time and if the villager does not pay the bill even if there is no electricity, they are being asked to pay fines and arrears,” Amse said.

He further alleged the MeECL for simply making the electricity bill without visiting the customer’s house to record the meter.

“The MECL just adjust the bill from their office itself, and therefore makes a common bill of similar amounts to all customers irrespective of the energy a customer consumes,” he added.

Meanwhile, Amse also suggested the government to appoint 2-3 linemen stationed in Umkiang village to look into the problems faced by the consumers besides making the already constructed sub-station in the same village functional at the earliest.

By Our Reporter